FLATHEAD, NORTHERN SAND

Sand Flathead are a tasty species of flathead, one of the smaller species of flathead.

How To Identify:

Sand flathead are a light sandy fawn to even a sandy orange colour with prolific creamy white spots (can appear almost blue in some fish). Growing to almost 2kgs and about 45cm in length.

How To Catch:

All flathead are opportunistic feeders and typically lie in wait on drop offs where small bait fish and other crustaceans wash over with the tide. Flathead camouflage themselves on the bottom (as you can tell from their shape) and bury themselves in the sand or mud waiting to ambush their prey. Flathead in the most part were targeted with live bait and this is one of the most productive ways to target flathead. Live small fish such as poddy mullet are excellent, however they will take most baits and always a welcome catch for the angler fishing for whiting or bream. However they also readily take lures and are probably one of the first fish caught on a lure by many young anglers. They are a sucker for a well presented soft plastic, and great fun on light tackle. I have also caught many on hard bodied deep divers. When fishing lures (although they will rise to the surface to chase a lure) the best way is to ensure your lures is working along the bottom of the sand or mud.

Where Found:

Sand flathead are found from New South Wales in the South, throughout the Queensland Coast sometimes as far as the Northern Territory.